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Toby's fourth birthday party

This weekend we threw a picnic for Toby's fourth birthday. (It's crazy how time flies!) Here are a few photos, below, if you'd like to see....We got a few giant balloons, spread out a couple blankets and served pizza, plus juice boxes for the kiddos and (sneaky) mimosas for the grown-ups.Antoni celebrated by drumming with a spoon and letting all the ladies squeeze his yummy biceps.I can't believe we're parents of a four-year-old!(Those little toes!!!)Per Toby's request, we served chocolate cupcakes and glazed donut holes. It was eight-year-old Ella's idea to arrange them into a number four, which made them feel super festive! Thanks, Ella!Toby had a shy, excited smile on his face as we lit the candles. That morning, he had assured me that he wasn't going to be scared of the Happy Birthday song this year. "I am not going to cry, Mama," he explained. "I am four."The candles took a while to light because of the strong wind......the suspense was palpable.Finally Toby blew out the candles......and everyone dug in!Then the kiddos played. One thing that always surprises me is how little kids need to have fun. They just ran around. For hours.It was so sweet!Plus, a few classic jokes......some naps in the grass......and at the very end, we brought out a parachute.It was such a lovely day celebrating this little treasure.That night, I had a momentary pang that he was growing up too quickly—four feels a little like the end of baby/toddlerhood, the beginning of the end. But then he asked if he could sleep with his new firetruck and taxi, and suddenly seemed so little again. Oh, Toby. He will always be my baby.

Happy Birthday to your little Toby!! I remember everyone constantly telling us "time flies you'll see" and now that Luna is about to be 16 months I've become one of those parents that says "OMG time flies!"

Another thing I wanted to applaud you for is your continued simple celebrations!! I love seeing all the happy faces at the park. With all the mommy Pinterest craze I feel like moms feel the pressure to throw all out bashes for their babes when really the simple gatherings/parties are always the best (and least stressful). I'm happy that we took the simple route too!

i have two (twin) of those four year old boys, who will be five in october…which really freaks me out! five?! kindergarten?!! i continue to have a hard time not thinking of them as babies (so says my husband) and sometimes find myself doing things for them that four year olds should probably do for themselves. whatever, soon enough that most certainly won't be an option so i will take advantage of their "littleness" as long as i can. congratulations on your four year old! (and kudos on the sneaky mimosas! they always add a little extra fun to the kids parties!).

What a sweet party! Ours turned 1 last week and we got rained out of our park party. It's ok though 'cause it was just grandmas and grandpas in attendance, I agree with PP - pinterest parties are fun to attend but not to plan and certainly not necessary to show your children that you care. A stress-free mama, donut holes (yes!) and some time in the sun sounds perfect.

thanks for the comments! sarah, the sheets are from dwell studio, if i remember correctly; and the chambray dress is from everlane. i got an early version of the dress, luckily enough, but i think it officially comes out next week or so.

Yes, miss munks, because I realized that it was misleading: we were never planning to bring toys since we figured the kids would like playing together in the grass and there's a sculpture garden and playground in to the park. So I corrected that wording in the post. My posts are always being tweaked/polished before, during and after I post them--I'm constantly fiddiling with them!

Hi Joanna! I am one of the sisters that stopped you on the Brooklyn Bridge last week when you were taking a break on your bike!! It was one of the highlights of our trip!! So wonderful to meet you and we are now even bigger fans of yours :) beautiful birthday party for Toby-- so cute and so much fun!! xo

I love that you kept the party about the pure and simple fun for the kids (and adults... yay for mimosas!). This is really such proof that parents don't need to lose their life savings planning a birthday party. All of the children are adorable and that last photo is perfect. Such a wonderful post (as usual:)

Love this celebration. Anton fits right in. Maybe next year I'll try the cupcake cake option. We just did a big cake (too big) for our 4-year-old son. The kids liked the cake, but it was too much. Cupcakes are so easy, especially for the young crowd. The whole gathering looks effortless and fun! Thanks for sharing! (and would love to know A's birth story.)

What an adorable birthday celebration! I love how it's so casual and fun, no decorations or favors to worry about, just having fun with your friends and family. It's the birthdays like this that he'll remember.

i have followed your blog for years, and yet never commented.... but must say, I CANNOT believe he's four. I have a four year old and three eight year olds (triplet girls) and the time flies by so quickly. LOVELY picnic, he looks so loved and adored :)

I love the simplicity of the party and that the kids were free to just run around and have FUN. What a refreshing change from those really elaborate and complicated birthday party ideas you see on Pinterest.

Kids having fun running around- had the same revelation last weekend at a fantastic botanical garden in Grand Rapids. They have a crazy fun kid garden area and my kids would have stayed there the rest of their lives if I let them! Huge Tarzan /Swiss family Robinson tree house, little beaver and frog puppets in hallow hole homes, water tables shaped like the Great Lakes, just an incredible place.. Anyways I wondered why anyone would haul a little kid to Disney.. They do not need the bells and whistles and best of all my husband and I were able to sit and relax in the beautiful michigan sunshine!

can i please commend you on your lovely and thoughtful birthday parties? i love the simplicity in them and that they focus around what is really meaningful, friends and family. especially so in a world were perfection and image is everything. thank you for being normal! x

My son was born a day after Toby and his 4th birthday party is Sunday. It's nice to read your thoughts since I'm having the same ones! Sometimes like talking to a friend, then I'm reminded he's still a little guy. I love it.

big happy birthday to you Toby and well done Joanna and Alex for making such an awesome kid. my big boy tuned 7 |(!!!|) this year and it broke my heart a little. He still goes to bed with a bunch of softtoys though and Doggy the favourite still gets some big love when he is asleep. I dreading the end of "mummy' and being called 'mum'.

big happy birthday to you Toby and well done Joanna and Alex for making such an awesome kid. my big boy tuned 7 |(!!!|) this year and it broke my heart a little. He still goes to bed with a bunch of softtoys though and Doggy the favourite still gets some big love when he is asleep. I dreading the end of "mummy' and being called 'mum'.

We looked in BPC last weekend! Husband loved it down there. I was freezing at night. We ate at Distillery. Highly recommend it - great for kids too. We were the only ones there at 9pm on a Sat night w kids, but it was a looooong day and we had to get them fed before bed. Try the duck and waffles - so good - and I'm from the south. ;-)